Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
1. Learn to forgive and realize that you have already been forgiven.
“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others.”
Matt. 6:14-15 MSG
Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Col. 3:13 TEV
2. Learn to have constructive conversations.
You must put away every kind of bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and evil, slanderous talk. Instead, a be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you. Ephesians 4:31 NET
Words kill, words give life;
they’re either poison or fruit– you choose.
Prov. 18:21 MSG
3. Learn to encourage others.
The sovereign Lord has given me the capacity to be his spokesman,
so that I know how to help the weary.
He wakes me up every morning;
he makes me alert so I can listen attentively as disciples do. Is. 50:4 NET
When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Rom. 1:12 NLT
“So continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 CEB
4. Learn the art of not complaining [especially about the things that you permit].
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Phil. 2:14-15 ESV
5. Learn to keep your word and to be honest.
Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Col. 3:9 NLT
A good name is more desirable than great wealth. Respect is better than silver or gold. Prov. 22:1 GWT
6. Learn to be kind.
May God pour out His love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you.
I Thess. 3:12
“Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say. Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil. Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.” Ephesians 4:29, 31-32 CEB
7. Learn to live out “the golden rule”. [do unto others as you would have them do to you.]
Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Rom. 12:10 MSG
“Therefore, you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you.” Matthew 7:12 CEB
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had toward you. Phil. 2:3-5 ESV
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Gal. 6:10 ESV
8. Learn to NOT argue about things that don’t matter or to feed an argumentative spirit.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. II Cor. 10:5 ESV
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18 NIV
9. Learn to resolve unresolved issues.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry– but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Eph. 4:26-27 MSG
10. Learn all the facts before you come to an assumption or conclusion.
When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. Acts 16:27 ESV
11. Learn to build bridges and not walls.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
Prov. 3:27 ESV
“And neither will I walk off and leave you. That would be a sin against God! I’m staying right here at my post praying for you and teaching you the good and right way to live.” I Sam. 12:23 MSG
Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Eph. 4:23 MSG
12. Learn to concentrate on what truly matters.
For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Col. 3:3 NLT
Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.
I Corinthians 15:58
You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:14-17 ESV
